Clydesiders 1914-2014

Today at Glasgow Cathedral as we remember the start of World War 1 the term volunteer takes centre stage again


"Some were decorated and died heroically others fought and fell quietly"
The Final Whistle by Stephen Cooper

Today we remember that 100 years ago this week the start of the First World War
Across the fields of the Annieslands Old and New and ,Balgray young men played their last match in March 1914 for many it was the last match they ever played
This was replicated on playing fields around Scotland
The next time many would be together would be on very different fields and in very different circumstances By the practice of the time they had played together now they signed on together they served together and in some cases died together


The casualties fell hugely on the 51st Highland Division and the 52nd Lowland Division of the New Army, the two Divisions most closely associated with our associated Schools

The figures make stark reading
Glasgow High School Former Pupils 480 killed
Glasgow Academicals 327 killed
Kelvinside Academicals 131 killed

This year we talk about a Commonwealth Games legacy based on volunteer effort ,100 years ago there was another Commonwealth legacy based on volunteer soldiers but forged in the most dreadful of circumstances
The volunteers of 2014 are called Clydesiders to some of the volunteers of 1914 The River Clyde had a different significance it was the steamship beached at Gallipoli to act as a landing station
On the 28th June 1915 at Gulley Ravine Gallipoli 34 former pupils of our three associated Schools paid the ultimate sacrifice including two Scottish International Caps Eric Young , and William Church They were in the main serving with the 156th Brigade 7th / 8th Cameronians Scottish Rifles

Of the thirty Scottish internationalists who fell during the Great War four came from our founder Clubs George Lamond and William Hutchison adding to Role of Honour

Over the next four years the great landmark battles will be remembered in vivid detail and our associated Schools will mark the War in their own unique way

Rugby and warfare share a common language but we must remember they are very different.'

This article was originally posted on 4-Aug-2014, 07:14 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 4-Aug-2014, 07:31.